Sue

  Inside, she felt weak and shaky. The letter had to have come from Zeke. That could mean one of two things: either he mailed it from Bangor, or he mailed it from here but did it late enough in the day that it was shuttled south for processing. Her heart beat faster. She could hardly wait to get rid of Melvin so she could sit down at her computer and focus her internet searches on the Bangor area.

  “Thanks for coming but I think I’m okay now the excitement’s over. Go on home and finish your nap.” She practically pushed him out the door.

  At the threshold he paused. “Want me to follow you to work tomorrow?”

  “Sure, yeah. That’d be great. See you then.” She shut the door behind him and locked it.

  Peering through a slender gap in the curtain, she saw him linger on the small porch for a moment. Then he shrugged and strolled to his car. Before opening the door, he slipped the inhaler from his pocket and took a few puffs. Sue exhaled loudly and let the curtain drop.

  An hour later, she gave up on the internet search and fixed a light supper. She ate as she watched television, but her mind kept wandering. The wind had picked up and every sound made her jump. She cleaned her gun and reloaded it before checking all the windows and doors. Flipping on her front porch light, Sue finally put on her pajamas and crawled into bed. Lying on her back, she listened as cars drove by, the shadows from their headlights creeping across her ceiling. It was hours before she fell asleep.

  The next morning her nerves were on edge. She resisted the urge to snap at Melvin when he arrived to follow her to work. But the day was an anticlimax. Nothing happened, other than Melvin working up the courage to ask her to a movie that evening, which she declined. “I’m too tired to concentrate. Maybe another time.”

  She decided to take a nap before fixing her evening meal, but the phone rang before she could drift off. It was Detective Sanders. “We don’t have anything on that letter, Sue, but I wanted to let you know we picked someone up for the burglaries in your neighborhood.”

  “Who was it?” Sue gripped her phone tight.

  “Just a couple of kids. Caught them in the act.”

  “Did they admit to breaking in my place?”

  “No, but we still think they’re the ones who did it,” Sanders said, then shifted subjects. “How are things going there? Everything still calm?”

  “Yes. Nothing’s happened.”

  “Good.” The detective said goodbye and hung up.

  Sue relaxed her hand around her phone. It was a shame those kids hadn’t confessed to breaking into her house; now she’d have to remain vigilant. She fell into bed and surprised herself by sleeping until morning.

  Come morning, Melvin was waiting outside to follow her to work. The snow had melted a little, but it was still cold. He wore thick gloves and his usual hat. As she locked her door behind her, he gestured toward her car. “What’s that?”

  Sue noticed a spot of bright red poking out from under the windshield wiper. “Probably just a flyer. People are always putting those things on cars.” She marched over and yanked it out. It was an envelope. “Oh, no,” she said quietly.

  Melvin hurried over. “Don’t open it,” he instructed.

  Sue shook her head and waved him away. “Come on, Melvin! I’ve got gloves on. I’m opening it.” Inside she found a valentine, unsigned. She looked up at Melvin. “Did you put this here?”

  With a quick frown, he shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t do that; I’d just hand it to you.”

  Sue looked around, scanning the street, the snow-covered hedge, the neighbors’ yards. No clear footprints were visible around her car. Once she assured herself the perpetrator was no longer around, she read the card. The prose was highly suggestive, romantic, sensual. A card one lover would send to another. She chewed her lip and allowed anger to replace her fear. “This is getting crazy and I’m sick of it.” She pulled the cuff of her glove back and glanced at her watch. “I don’t have time for this crap; I have to get to work. Can you drive me so I can call the detective on the way?”

  “Of course.”

  She made the call and arranged to meet the detective at noon at a small park within walking distance to work. She didn’t want the police showing up at her job. It was a small three-person office, just Sue and the two insurance agents for whom she worked. It was the one area where she could completely cut herself off from that piece of her past and Sue loathed the idea of giving up any of her hard-won gains.

  When Melvin dropped her off, she entered the office, put her lunch in the fridge, and removed her coat. Turning on her computer, she set the coffeemaker to brew before settling at her desk with pen and pad to check messages on the phone system. When her bosses arrived, she would put the open sign in the window and everything would be ready for the day.

  Leaning back in her chair, she gazed through the open blinds to the parking lot outside. Clouds had moved in and a weak drizzle smeared the glass. She reflected on her progress thus far. In addition to her defensive training, she’d been reading books to empower her and boost her confidence. And she was making strides toward her goal of becoming strong and self-reliant. But she held a secret close to her heart. With the fervor of obsession, she readied herself for the one confrontation that would set her free and allow her to move forward, to find happiness in life again. She was going to kill Zeke.

  The agents arrived, greeted her, and disappeared into their individual offices to work. Sue shook herself from her reverie and turned to the tasks at hand. She began typing letters and taking phone calls. At noon, Sue hurried to her rendezvous with the detective and then back to eat her lunch. The rest of the day passed without incident.

  Melvin drove her home that evening and sat waiting as she made her way to the house. Sue checked the mail and then opened the storm door. A bouquet of perky white flowers with yellow centers fell from between the doors and landed at her feet. Daisies! Sue stared for a moment before she slipped into hysterics.

  “Who’s doing this to me?” she screamed, stomping the flowers and kicking them into the snow. “Where are you? Why are you doing this?” She turned around wildly searching everywhere.

  Melvin jumped from his car and ran to the porch. He gently pulled Sue into his arms; she buried her face in his shoulder and allowed him to comfort her. “It’s okay, Sue. I’m here. It’s okay.” He patted her back and smoothed her hair away from her face. “No one’s going to hurt you.” His gaze fell on the broken stems and blossoms in the snow.

  Slowly, Sue pulled away and collected herself. Touching her hair self-consciously, she cleared her throat. It was tight, as if it might close over and choke her. She coughed once and felt the muscles relax. “I’m alright, Melvin. It’s just the flowers. The daisies. You don’t understand, do you?”

  “Wait, that’s right. I remember seeing that in your file.” His face was grim.

  “Someone is hanging around here, around my place. It’s creepy! And daisies! That can’t be just a coincidence? Can it? Who would even know about them except Zeke?”

  Melvin shook his head but offered no answers. “We need to call the law.”

  This time, after the police left, Melvin stayed until Sue calmed down. He didn’t bring up the notion of spending the night and Sue wondered if he feared another rejection. But he made it clear he had no intention of abandoning her. “I’m going to go home and put on some extra clothes, grab a thermos of hot chocolate. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “You don’t have to do that.” Sue’s objection was weak.

  “I know that. But I want to.” Melvin patted her shoulder before stepping off the porch. “I’ll be right across the street, keeping watch. You can rest easy tonight.”

  Sue didn’t argue.

  For the next three nights, Melvin continued his surveillance. It produced no results except to leave him exhausted. On the fourth night, he stayed home to catch up on sleep.

  During that time, Sue continued her secret research. She’d posted an alert for the names of
either of the missing women she’d already discovered, but there were no further news stories on either. The subject of the flowers led to one of the more painful therapy sessions to date as she relived another of Zeke’s horrors with Dr. Camden.

  Sue faithfully recorded her feelings in the journal she brought to each visit. But other, more private feelings, she kept in a second book. If Dr. Camden suspected Sue was withholding anything, she gave no overt indication; although, every so often Sue caught the woman gazing at her with that shrewd, knowing look in her eyes. It made Sue uncomfortable when it happened but she scolded herself each time. For crying out loud, she can’t read minds. Even therapists are limited to the same five senses as the rest of us.

  Chapter 22

  Sue stomped the snow from her feet before entering her parents’ house. Her mom peeked over her shoulder. “Didn’t Melvin follow you? I wanted to ask him in for a piece of cake.”

  “I came alone.”

  “What? Oh, Susan!”

  “It’s only a mile, Mom. It’s no big deal.”

  Her mother fought to smooth her frown and brought forth a nervous smile. “You’re right. Why don’t you get your coat off and come on in?”

  Sue stepped into the living room after removing her outerwear. Her dad leaped from his easy chair and engulfed her in a bear hug. “Happy Birthday, baby!”

  “Thanks, dad.” Sue returned the hug before pulling away.

  “Are you ready for your party?”

  “It’s been a crazy week at work. What I’d really love to do is take a nice long bath,” Sue said wistfully.

  “Oh, well, we don’t have to do this now. We could pick another day.” Her mother’s eyes were moist, her disappointment palpable.

  “What? Another day? But another day wouldn’t be my birthday. Of course I want to have my party tonight.”

  “Come on in the kitchen.” Sue’s mom vanished through the doorway.

  Sue followed with her dad trailing behind. Once in the kitchen, he stepped into the utility room and came back with two gaily-wrapped gifts. He placed them in the center of the table as he and Sue took their seats.

  Sue’s mom had made a mayonnaise cake with powdered sugar frosting. Now, she carried it to the table and set it down with a flourish. Two glowing candles graced the center, a two and a zero. “Make a wish, honey.”

  Closing her eyes for a second, Sue wished Zeke dead. Dead and gone. She opened her eyes and blew out the flames.

  “I hope your wish comes true.” Her dad grinned. “Now, open your presents.”

  The first package held a nice pair of leather gloves. Sue slipped them on and held her hands up. “Perfect fit,” she proclaimed before taking them back off. Next, she opened a scarf in bright colors. Rubbing it on her cheek, she moaned softly, “Fluffy. Soft.” She stood and gave each of her parent’s a quick hug. “I love them, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” her mom chirped.

  “Now open your card.”

  Sue did. Inside she found a card that overflowed with loving birthday sentiments and a hundred dollar bill.

  “Oh! This is too much,” Sue protested, but her parents waved off her concern, saying she could use the money to buy something she wouldn’t ordinarily purchase.

  They lingered at the table. Sue ate a huge piece of her favorite cake and sipped at a cup of coffee. They chatted about everyday things until Sue yawned. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m just really tired. It’s been a madhouse at the office the last couple of days. I’m glad tomorrow is Saturday so I can catch up things around the apartment.”

  “It is getting kind of late,” her dad said. “I’m ready to call it a night if you ladies are.”

  Soon, Sue had her coat on and was standing at the front door. “Thank you so much for the cake and the gifts.”

  Smiling, her mom and dad each hugged her and told her happy birthday one more time. She slipped out the door, feeling her parents’ eyes on her back until she was safely in the car. She watched the friendly glow from the living room disappear as they closed the door.

  At home, Sue ran a hot scented bath and soaked until the water turned cool. Then, snug in her pajamas, she slid between the sheets, pulled the comforter up tight around her, and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 23

  As the days passed uneventfully, both Melvin and Sue began to think the whole ordeal was over and whoever had left the card and flowers had given up. February turned into March and Sue felt a combination of relief and disappointment. A couple of weeks passed and she was on the verge of telling her folks she didn’t need Melvin anymore, even though she’d miss his company.

  Then, two disturbing events occurred. First, the mutilated body of Diane Swanson was discovered behind a vinegar and pickle factory in Missouri. Chills left goose bumps on Sue’s skin as she read the news report. It wasn’t specific about the remains, but she was willing to bet the woman had been decapitated. Like Brenda. Like Daisy. There were no suspects in the case and details being released by the police were sketchy at this early stage. Sue printed the report and added it to her file.

  If the condition of Diane Swanson’s body was similar to the mutilation of Brenda’s corpse, the police had probably already linked the two. Plus, they now had Zeke’s DNA. If there was a match, they’d soon know. She resisted the urge to call the detective about her find. This was just another burden Sue would shoulder alone. She thought of the woman’s family and blinked, surprised at the film of tears in her eyes. I’m going to have to get tougher if I want to carry out my plan. A lot tougher. She wrestled down the outrage and horror, set her shoulders, and glanced at her purse with its deadly weapon tucked inside.

  The second distressing incident was when another letter appeared. This one was also composed on a computer but it didn’t come through the mail. She found it stuck in the doorjamb. It was seven pages of the most vulgar filth Sue had ever seen. She shook as she read it. Shoving it into her coat pocket, she quickly returned to her car. She’d had to work late and had told Melvin she could get home by herself, knowing he needed to study for a big test. Now she was alone.

  Locking her doors, Sue started the car and cranked up the heater. She called Detective Sanders, and while she waited for her to arrive, spoke to Melvin.

  “I got another letter.” Sue tried to keep her voice calm, but it had the edge of barely controlled panic. “This one’s really bad.”

  “Hold on a minute, Sue. Don’t hang up; just give me time to collect my stuff. I’m in the library. Let me step out into the foyer.” She heard light rustling and soon his voice returned. “Okay. Now tell me.”

  “It was stuck in my door.” Sue bit down on her glove to keep from screaming. “So whoever it was has been at my place. Again.”

  “Are you home now?”

  “Yes. In my car.”

  “Drive away from there, Sue! Right now.”

  “The detective is on her way. I have to wait for her.”

  “No, you don’t. I mean it, Sue. Get out of there. It’s starting to get dark.”

  Tendrils of fear coursed through her as she turned in her seat and looked behind her. It was dusk and the streetlights had come on, but there was no traffic. Most of the houses were lit but a few remained dark. Many of her working neighbors were already inside their homes, warm and snug against the chill night. Shivering, Sue mentally berated herself for telling Melvin she didn’t need him to follow her tonight.

  “Hold on a minute while I move the car.” She laid the phone on the seat beside her, put the car in reverse, and backed out of the driveway into the street. She parked a few houses from her own. “Okay, I moved.”

  “How far?”

  “Down the street a few houses.”

  “Well, that’s marginally better, I guess. I’m at my car now. I’m coming over.”

  “I’m looking at the upstairs windows and they’re dark. Apparently my neighbors aren’t home.” Her voice caught in her throat. From this angle she could see her bedro
om windows, the dark blue shades illuminated from within. “Oh god, Melvin,” she whispered. “My bedroom light is on. I’m sure I didn’t leave it on when I left this morning.”

  Sue heard the sound of a car door slamming and then Melvin said, “I’m on my way. Don’t hang up. I’ve got you on speaker.” Sue heard the tires screech as Melvin peeled from his parking spot.

  As Sue focused on her window, she noticed something move across the blind. It was barely perceptible. She squinted and stared so hard her eyes ached. There it was again, a slight shadowy movement. “Melvin! Someone’s inside. I saw movement.”

  A knock sounded on the window next to her head. Sue jumped and dropped the phone into her lap, heart pounding in vicious slams against her chest. She turned to see Detective Sanders standing next to her car, motioning for her to roll down the window.

  Struggling against the tide of adrenalin, she lowered the window. “I’m so glad to see you. I think there’s someone inside my apartment.” She lifted the phone. “Detective Sanders is here now, Melvin. I’ll see you when you get here.” She disconnected the call.

  “Okay, give me your keys and wait here.” Sanders held out her hand.

  Sue turned off her car and handed the keychain to the woman. Sanders pulled her weapon, crept up to the apartment door, and unlocked it. She disappeared inside and Sue waited in an agony of suspense. Soon the detective reappeared, gun holstered, and approached Sue’s car. “It’s clear.” She handed Sue her keys. “Let’s go inside where it’s more comfortable, more private.”

  She moved with purpose to her car, which was parked behind Sue’s, and got inside. As Sue drove into the driveway, Detective Sanders pulled in behind her. Before they’d reached the front door, Melvin arrived. He jumped from his car and hurried up the walk.

  “You know the routine by now, Sue. Have a look around.” Sanders moved about the small living room, pulled the shades back, and examined the windows. Melvin stood awkwardly by the door, waiting.